Innovation meets Sustainability: Winners Announced at Net Zero Start-Up Hub Pitch Event in Fredericia
Fredericia, 24 September 2025 – The Net Zero Innovation Hub, Business Fredericia, DTU, Google, and the Danish Data Center Industry (DDI) are proud to announce the winners of the Net Zero Start-Up Hub Pitch Event, held today at MesseC Fredericia as part of Nordic Data Center Week and Fredericia Talks.
We are happy to announce the following companies have been selected as the top three winners. They will receive cash prizes sponsored by Google to accelerate their innovations:
- Shiptown - winner of EUR 10,000
- Air Joule - winner of EUR 7,000
- Halide Energy - winner of EUR 5,000
In addition, the judging panel has selected the following 7 companies to join the Net Zero Start-Up Hub incubation program.
- Air Joule
- Halide Energy
- Shiptown
- Neocarbon
- Hydram Research
- Zero Entropy
- Sperra
In total, ten promising start-ups presented their solutions to a panel of expert judges representing leading voices from the energy, sustainability and data center sector; including Alberto Ravagni (CEO, Net Zero Innovation Hub), Henrik Thorsen (CEO, Energy Cool), Henrik Madsen (Professor, DTU), Mads Skov Uldall (Associate Director, EIFO), and Niels M. Andersen (Senior Public Affairs Manager, Google Data Centers).
By joining the hub, these companies gain access to mentoring, industry networks, and opportunities to scale their solutions within the data center and clean energy ecosystem.
“We were truly impressed with the level of innovation on display today. The start-ups showed how technology and creativity can help solve some of the most pressing challenges on the road to net zero,” said Henrik Hansen, Director of the Danish Data Center Industry.
“Innovation is key to driving the data center and digital infrastructure industry forward. The Net Zero Start-Up Hub is designed to de-risk and accelerate breakthrough solutions. By supporting these winners and selected companies, we are helping them move from pilot to scalable deployment,” said Alberto Ravagni, CEO of the Net Zero Innovation Hub.
“Denmark has established itself as a stronghold for sustainable digital infrastructure, and Fredericia is a prime example of how local and global innovation can meet. Events like today demonstrate the strength of the ecosystem in Denmark and Europe – where start-ups, industry, and policymakers come together to accelerate the data center industry transition to net zero. Google is proud to be part of this journey,” added Niels Andersen, Senior Public Affairs Manager, Google Data Centers.
As the sector continues to grow at rapid speed, so too does the demand for sustainable, scalable solutions. By fostering innovation and creating space for start-ups to test, validate, and scale their ideas, the Net Zero Start-Up Hub will play a vital role in ensuring the solutions of tomorrow are ready to meet both industry needs and climate goals.
About the Net Zero Start-up Hub
The Net Zero Start-Up Hub is a flagship initiative of the Net Zero Innovation Hub for Data centers and the Danish Data Center Industry, headquartered in Fredericia, Denmark. It is developed in partnership with a unique group of global technology leaders and energy system pioneers, including Google, Microsoft, Schneider Electric, Vertiv, Danfoss, and Data4.
Situated in Fredericia, a European hotspot for green energy and digital infrastructure, the Hub offers access to top-tier networks, advanced infrastructure, and one of Europe’s most ambitious decarbonization roadmaps.
Press contact:
Christine Kjær Jacobsen
Head of Marketing, PR & Communications
+45 2975 2932
chja@netzerodatacenters.com
